I grew up in the mountains, always playing outside either in the dirt or climbing in the trees whenever I could. Throughout my childhood, I was put into a bike and thrown onto the trail, prepared or not, for what was up ahead. I grew to appreciate and enjoy the most technical aspects of riding-- I grew up in the desert, but I can't help but fully enjoy being completely emersed in the wet rocks and roots that trail riding and racing has to offer. 

Later in my teens, I was racing both cross country skiing and mountain biking. That started to take a toll mentally so I decided I needed to choose between the two sports